Afterglow ❃ l.m.j

• chapter twenty nine •

Retail therapy was a trap I always managed to fall into. As soon as I got to Villaggio, my eyes were glued to damn near every clothing store in sight. I bounced between looking at new clothes for myself to looking for that charm for Taylor. It took a few stores before I finally found it nestled in one of the jewelers catalogs. I pulled out the bracelet I got her, matching it to the silver with a confident nod. The sound of the register was music to my ears after that.

I also went into H&M and Forever 21 to see if I could find anything on sale. Being confined to leggings and sweatsuits out of comfort was beginning to get boring.

There wasn't anything my size that I liked with the exception of a nude corset, denim chunky heels, and a black slip. Not bad all in all. I'm sure I could find outfits to make with it.

I walked around the mall a bit more trying to think if I needed to get anything else. I got my mom, my dad, Papi, Alex, and Taylor something. Stefanie and Rosé's gifts were still coming in the mail. Should I get something for Normani?

I smiled at the thought. I didn't even know what she liked really except cinnamon dolce lattes. And that wasn't really any help. But if I asked, it'd be too obvious. I pouted, stopping in front of Yankee Candle. A sign about a sale was taped to the window.

"Lauren?" Upon hearing my government, I turned my head with a frown. The voice attached to it was one I hadn't heard in years.

The blonde looked back at me in surprise. Well, former blonde. Now, her hair was more on the strawberry side.

I blinked twice, stepping forward to hug her out of habit. She opened her arms and embraced me warmly.

"Holy shit, Lilly, hi." I heard leave my lips. My ex grinned, pulling back to give me a once over.

"It's been such a long time, wow. You're still beautiful."

I smiled down at the ground. "Thank you. You as well. What are you doing here in Fresno? I thought you lived up in Salinas still."

She wrinkled her nose pointing to the candle store. "I do! Just finishing some last minute Christmas shopping. I'm looking for a specific candle for my aunt, but the stores near me sold out so I'm all the way out here. What about you?"

I held up my bags. "You know me; shopping too. I guess we both had the same idea. And wow, which candle? Maybe I can help you look."

"Really? That'd be great! I was just on my way into Yankee Candle. Um, the one I'm looking for is called Marshmallow Fireside."

Lilly headed inside with me in tow. Together we perused the sections. Small talk followed us around the store.

"So, how are you?" She asked, looking at one section of candles beside me. I looked at the rows too with eyebrows drawn.

"I'm good! I just work a lot, so, you know. I don't have much time for anything else."

She shook her head. "Yeah, me too. I'm a manager at a bank and it's not what I seen for myself but it pays the bills." She pulled a candle off the shelf, smelling it. She held it to me but I wrinkled my nose. It was something called pineapple sunrise. Lilly laughed.

"I still can't believe I seen you though." She placed the candle back down and scanned my side profile. "I haven't really seen anyone since I graduated."

"Yeah, me either actually." I frowned, pushing a thought or two down. She didn't seem to notice. "But I also moved here after I left, and I don't think anyone really left town unless they were planning on leaving the state completely."

"Except Joanie. Joanie ended up moving to Santa Barbara." I had little to no idea who the hell Joanie was. I nodded along anyway. "Huh. We've come a long way from college, huh?"

I looked up at her. It felt like the world zeroed in on us almost. I looked at the apples of her blush cheeks that I used to kiss while reminiscing on the way her lips used to wrap around my name. The way it still did in this moment.

"Yeah. We have."

She opened and closed her mouth towards me before her eyes caught on something. She brushed past me with a whoop, pulling a candle out of a stack excitedly. "I found it! This is it!"

My face morphed into one of surprise. I watched as she held it in her hands for me to smell. After a hum and a metaphoric seal of approval, she took it and walked over to the line. When she was done buying it, she came back over with a smile.

"I can't believe I actually found it! I've been looking everywhere all morning. You're a good luck charm, I'm calling it. You know what, what are you doing today? I'm in a celebratory mood and I'm already all the way out here. What do you say we go out for old times sake?"

I couldn't help but think of Normani for some reason. Her eyes looking through mine, her smile, her soft touches and pupils blown from my every touch. The way she joked and teased me to no end whenever we were together. I could only imagine how different this day might've been if she was in town. Well, that's if we would've seen each other to begin with. My heart sunk at the loss of contact.

I looked down at my bags.

I looked at Lilly again. She waited patiently, a comforting smile on her lips. There was nothing but mirth in her eyes.

It was just a drink. Who could it hurt?

"Okay." I nodded confidently. "But just one drink."

"No problem. One drink. Scout's honor."